Deflectable antenna



NOV. 9, 1937. J, HRUSKA 2,098,388

DEFLECTABLE ANTENNA Filed NOV. 30, 1935 NEL *A ummRINNRNNINRRRNR INVENTO? 7 I I Leo. J. Hrus'a,

l W 1 BYMOMLWI CII Patented Nov. 9, 1937 UNlTED STATES PATENT GFFIQE DEFLECTABLE ANTENNA Delaware Application November 30, 1935, Serial No. 52,313

5 Claims.

My invention relates to a deectable antenna. More specically, my invention is a deflectable v ical rod antenna for mobile use. My antenna is particularly useful on motor cars Where the a may be deilected Without damage to it strikes an obstruction.

ty of a receiving antenna is prolengt'n and efective height. An

. r tions which would cause damage to the anton i am aware of numerous vertical antennas which have been used on mobile units Many attempts have been made to devise a d fiectable antenna for such use. It is im- W"rtant that the antenna remain rigid during :e et of the vehicle because vibration of the antenna lead to poor reception. It is likeimpcrtant that the deiiectable portion of the antenna give way upon striking obstructions.

One of t' ne objects of my invention is to provide deflectable rod antenna.

Another object is to provide a deilectable antenna which will remain rigid during normal movement of the mobile unit.

Another object is to design a deflectable antenna which will have good electrical conductivity at Flexible coupling.

Another object is to design a deflectable antenna which will deflect in any direction without damage to itself.

Other objects will be apparent from the accompanying specication, drawing, and appended claims.

in the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of my invention on an automobile,

Fig. 2 is a sectional View of one embodiment of the exible coupling employed in my deflectable rod antenna, and

Fig. 3 illustrates a modified installation of my antenna.

In Fig. l. an insulating base l is attached to the running board 3 of an automobile 5. On the insulating base l is attached a fixed section of a ver al rod antenna 'l Whose height is approximately equal to the top of the automobile. Secureiy fastened to the free end 0f the vertical rod is a cup shape universal coupling 9 to which is attached the deflectable section of antenna rod il. A suitable lead-in (not shown) is attached to the Xed section of the vertical rod and to a radio apparatus which is usually within the automobile.

One form of construction oi the cup shape universal coupling is illustrated in Fig. 2. in this figure a base member 2l of brass or other sui able material is arranged with a circular s.' 23. The upper portion of the shoulder a radius 25. This radius acts as a guide wb permits the cup-like member 2l to freely slide over the shoulder 23 and rest securely on the base member The upper part the cupshape member includes a socket 2S which is securely fastened to the cup by brazing, welding or the like. The socket provides clearance for a spring which will be described. below. Within this socket is tted a metallic tubular member S i. The upper portion of this tubular meipreferably closed by a small cap This cap serves to exclude moisture which might have a deleterious eiect on the antenna. The tubular member is secured to the socket by threading, brazing or other suitable means.

A pin 35 is mounted on the tubular member at a distance of several inches from the base of the cup-like member. A helical spring 3l is secured to the pin 35. The lower end of the spring is suitably fastened to a screw 39 which has been threaded into the base member 2l. Lock nuts are preferably arranged to prevent the screw from turning due to vibration of the motor vehicle. It should be understood that the helical spring is fastened under tension so that the circular base of the cup is rmly held against the lower base member 2 I. The tension of this spring is sufiicient to normally hold the vertical tubular member in rigid engagement with the base 2 l.

While the spring member holds the universal joint in rigid position during normal use of the antenna, it should be understood that the spring permits the antenna to deflect Whenever it meets with an obstruction. Because of the universal type of the deectable coupling, the antenna will deflect in any direction without harm to itself. Inasmuch as the top of the automobile itself should clear obstructions, it will be apparent that the antenna need only deflect until it ic substantially in the plane of the 'top of the car.

In the embodiment shown, the cup shape meniber will prevent water from contacting the spring and internal portions cf the deilecting joint when the antenna is in the vertical position. The

connection may be employed between the two sections of the antenna.

The tension of the spring is such that the cup member El rmly engages its base member 2i. The rounded shoulder Z5 on the base member aids the cup member in aligning itself as it restores from a deflected position. Although I prefer the arrangement shown, it should be understood that the cup member may be secured to the fixed antenna rod and the base member 2l may be secured to the deiiecting member. The base member may be mounted on the roof of the automobile instead of on the fixed antenna section, as shown in Fig. 3.

Numerous modications Within the scope of my invention will occur to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that I do not limit my invention tothe precise embodiment Which has been illustrated by way of example. I only intend to limit my invention as required by the prior art and appended claims.

I claim as my invention:-

l. A deflectable antenna comprising a xed section, a deflectable section, a base member mounted on one of said sections, a cup shape member mounted on the other oi said sections, and a spring under tension for firmly engaging said base and cup shape members, the relative shape and junction of said members being such as to insure a good high frequency Contact and to exclude moisture.

2. An antenna of the character described in-` cluding a base member having a circular shoulder therein, a tubular member having secured thereto a cup shape member, and means for engaging under tension the base of said cup shape member and said shoulder which are so constructed and arranged that said cup and base are normally held together and having contact portions of such relative shape that moisture is shed and a good high frequency contact is insured.

3. An antenna of the character described including a base member having a circular shoulder therein, a cup shape member frictionally engaging said shoulder, the relative shape and junction of said shoulder and cup being such that moisture is shed and a good high frequency contact is maintained, a tubular member secured to said cup shape member, a spring secured to said tubular member and located therein, and means securing said spring to said base member under tension so said tubular member is normally maintained in a Xed position with respect to said base, and is yieldably arranged When said tubular member is deflected.

4. In a device of the character or" claim 3, means for guiding said cup shape member with respect to said shoulder as said tubular member is restored to its normal position after deflection.

5. A deiiectable antenna for vehicles comprising a tubular member terminating in a closed portion at one end and in a cup shape member at its other end, said cup shape member having a circular base concentrically arranged with respeci: to said tubular member, a base member having a circular shoulder adapted to engage said circular base, said shoulder and base having a relative shape and junction which excludes moisture and maintains a good high frequency eleotrical contact, a helical spring located Within said tubular member and having one end secured thereto, and means for securing under tension the other end of said spring to said base member, whereby said tubular member may be universally deflected with respect to said base member.

' LEO J. I-IRUSKA. 

